Method and Apparatus for a Game

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for a game, in which a ball, token, or other projectile is propelled onto a game board. The game board is slightly raised from an adjacent playing surface. The game board might be comprised of a grid or set of ball-retaining depressions. The board would also contain a target area or aperture through which the projectile can pass. The object of the game is to get all the projectiles through the target aperture. To successfully propel or bounce a projectile onto the game board, the projectile must come to rest inside one of the projectile-retaining depressions or else pass through the target aperture. Players take turns propelling the projectiles onto the game board, moving the projectiles toward the target, or making jumps over other projectiles on the game board. The first player to get all his or her projectiles through the target wins.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/781,249, filed on Mar. 14, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference thereto.

BACKGROUND

There are a variety of games that require players to toss or bounce an object toward a target. These games require a certain amount of skill and dexterity and provide entertainment for players. Typically, the player with the greatest skill in tossing the object toward the target emerges as the winner of the game.

There are also a variety of board games available for adults and children for fun and entertainment. Typically, in such board games players take turns moving pieces on the board surface based upon strategy or luck, rather than dexterity. For example, moves may be determined by the spin of a wheel or the roll of a die. More complex board games require players to use strategy (e.g., chess), or a combination of luck and strategy (e.g., backgammon) to overcome a bad roll of the dice, or to capitalize on an advantageous roll and win the game.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the claimed subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview. It is not intended to either identify key or critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claimed subject matter. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The described apparatuses and methods relate to the field of game boards and game devices, generally. In embodiments of the described games, players project multiple balls or tokens or other projectiles onto a game surface, where the game surface includes a set of depressions, sized to retain the balls or tokens or other projectiles, and a target aperture. Once the balls are bounced onto the game surface and in play, the players can strategically move or advance the balls. The players can choose whether to project more balls onto the game surface, or move the balls already on the game surface. In an embodiment, the first player that is able to pass all of his projectiles or balls through the target aperture first, wins the game. In another embodiment, the player that is able to position his balls or tokens or other projectiles on the game surface according to a pattern, can collect a game card illustrating the pattern. With the different methods of gameplay and elements of strategy involved, this game combines hand-eye coordination, skill, geometrical strategy, and luck in order to provide a new, fun multiplayer game.

In embodiments, a method for playing a game includes providing a game board, where the game board includes a game surface having a plurality of depressions, and providing a plurality of game pieces, where each of the plurality of depressions is shaped to retain any one of the plurality of game pieces. During play, players project at least one of the plurality of game pieces onto the game surface, where the at least one of the plurality of game pieces is retained by one of the plurality of depressions; select from a group of strategic moves; and advance the at least one of the plurality of game pieces retained by the one of the depressions in accordance with the selected strategic move.

In other embodiments, the game includes a game board including a game surface surrounded by a boundary, wherein the game surface includes a plurality of depressions and a target aperture, wherein the target aperture is substantially centered on the game surface. The game also includes a plurality of game pieces, wherein each of the game pieces is capable of being retained by any one of the depressions and passing through the target aperture.

In further embodiments, methods of playing the game include providing a game board, wherein the game board includes a game surface having a plurality of depressions and a target aperture, wherein the target aperture is substantially centered on the game surface; and providing a plurality of game pieces, wherein each of the plurality of depressions is shaped to retain any one of the plurality of game pieces. The method also includes projecting at least one of the plurality of game pieces toward the game surface; selecting from a group of strategic moves and moving a game piece retained by one depression in accordance with that selected strategic move, wherein the group of strategic moves includes moving the game piece to an adjacent depression and jumping the game piece over a game piece retained in an adjacent depression. Players then repeat the steps of projecting the at least one of the plurality of game pieces, selecting from the group of strategic moves and moving the game piece, until all the game pieces for a player are passed through the target aperture.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the claimed subject matter are described in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative of various ways in which the subject matter may be manufactured and practiced, all of which are intended to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other advantages and novel features may become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The systems, devices and methods may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals indicate like structural elements and features in various figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, and simply illustrate the principles of the systems, devices and methods. The accompanying drawings illustrate only possible embodiments of the systems, devices and methods and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope.

FIG. 1 depicts a front perspective view of an embodiment of a game board.

FIG. 2 depicts a front perspective view of an embodiment of game-play.

FIG. 3A depicts another embodiment of the game board.

FIG. 3B depicts embodiments of the game board of varying sizes.

FIG. 4A depicts another embodiment of the game board.

FIG. 4B-4C depict a collapsible embodiment of the game board.

FIG. 4D depicts a further embodiment of the game board.

FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of a set of cards for use with the game board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the game apparatuses and methods are described below with reference to illustrative embodiments. The references to illustrative embodiments below are not made to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Instead, illustrative embodiments are used to aid in the description of various aspects of the apparatuses and methods. The description, made by way of example and reference to illustrative reference is not meant to being limiting as regards any aspect of the claimed subject matter.

The described game boards and methods present a game in which hand-eye coordination, strategy, and luck combine to form a creative new way for small or large groups of people to challenge each other in gameplay. This game requires some level of coordination for players to get game pieces onto the game board. After that, players must use their strategy and skill to win the game. However, the nature of the game might allow a player to win because of mere luck!

As shown in FIG. 1, an embodiment, a game board 100 includes a generally horizontal game surface 102 and one or more sides 104 that form the boundary of the game surface 102. In embodiments, balls, tokens, or other projectiles are propelled onto the game surface 102. As used herein, the terms game pieces, tokens, projectiles and balls are used interchangeably to denote objects manipulated by players during game play and are not limited to particular shape or size. During play, a player can bounce a game ball off a horizontal surface 112, such as a tabletop, or toss the ball onto the game surface 102. The sides 104 generally prevent the balls from bouncing off or outside of the game surface 102 during play and can form an initial hurdle or barrier for game balls to enter onto the game surface 102. In an embodiment, the game surface 102 includes a target aperture 106 at or near the center of the game surface 102. As shown, the target aperture 106 can be any shape or configuration sized to allow the balls to pass through the aperture 106 and out of gameplay. In addition, the game surface 1102 can include a set of depressions 108 generally covering the game surface 102. The depressions 108 can be sized and shaped to cradle the ball or game token. When balls are bounced or projected onto the game surface 102, the balls may bounce or roll on the surface 102, eventually coming to rest either in one of the depressions 108 or passing through the target aperture 106. During gameplay, once a player has landed one or more of the balls or other tokens on the game surface 102, he or she can move the balls strategically from the depressions 108 toward the center target aperture 106.

In an embodiment the game board 100 is a horizontal, hexagonal game surface 102 and a symmetrical grid of ball-retaining depressions 108. One or more side supports 110 raise the game surface 102 off of a substantially horizontal surface 112. Here, the game board 100 rests on a tabletop that is suitable for bouncing balls from the adjacent surface 112 onto the game board 100.

In an embodiment, the game board 100 includes an upper portion 114 that includes the game surface 102 and sides 104, and a lower portion 116 that can include side supports 110 that raises the game surface 102 off of the tabletop 112. In an embodiment, the lower portion 116 or side supports 110 can be formed to prevent the balls from rolling out from under the game surface 102 once they have passed through the center target aperture 106. In another embodiment, the lower portion 116 includes any suitable support, such as feet. In a further embodiment, the lower portion 116 is shaped as a tray with a bottom and side supports 110 (as shown in FIG. 1). A tray-shaped lower portion 116 would allow for easy pick-up and storage of the game board 100. Upon completion of a game, the balls would naturally collect in the tray-shaped lower portion 116, allowing a user to simply grasp the upper portion 114 and lower portion 116 to pick up the entire game board 100 and balls.

A variety of patterns of depressions 108 can be used on the game surface 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the game surface 102 can include three ball-retaining depressions between any one side of the game surface 102 and the center target aperture 106. However, any suitable pattern of depressions 108 can be used. As shown, the depressions 108 are indentations shaped to hold the balls. Also as shown, in some embodiments the depressions 108 each have an opening or aperture at the base of the depression. However, in other embodiments, the depressions 108 could be holes or apertures with diameters smaller than the diameters of the game tokens or balls. In other embodiments, the depressions 108 can be of any shape suitable for retaining the game balls.

One method of projecting a ball onto the game surface 102 is throwing or bouncing a ball off an adjacent or nearby surface 112. Balls or projectiles for game play might include symmetrical bouncing balls made of celluloid material (e.g., ping pong balls), or similar gas filled balls. Symmetrical, round balls facilitate bouncing onto the game board 100, but other embodiments could include irregular shaped balls, tokens, or other projectiles. FIG. 1 shows a ball by bouncing off the adjacent surface 112 toward the game surface 102. Other methods of projection might include propelling or flicking a ball onto the game surface 102 by human hands or some mechanical means. It is contemplated that many variations of propelling the projectile onto the game surface 102 can be used.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, in an embodiment, balls are tossed or bounced off a nearby surface 112 onto the game surface 102. The game involves at least two players, each with a specified number of balls. Each player may have a set of balls in a different color. The balls react with the depressions 108 and game surface 102, bouncing on the surface 102 and possibly into the target aperture 106. To successfully bounce a ball onto the game surface 102, the ball must come to rest inside one of the ball-retaining depressions 108 or else pass through the target aperture 106. Alternating turns, the players either attempt to bounce a ball onto the game surface 102 putting the ball into play, or advance one of their balls already on the game surface 102 through the depressions 108 toward the target aperture 106. If a bounced ball does not go through the target aperture 106, the ball stays in the depression 108 in which it came to rest and the player's turn ends. A bounce that does not land on the game surface 102 or through the target aperture 106 results in the loss of that player's turn. Each turn the player can choose to bounce a ball onto the game surface 102, and potentially through the target aperture 106, or strategically move a ball already in play on the game surface 102. A player wins the game once all of his or her balls pass through the center target aperture 106.

In addition to advancing the balls by simply moving a ball to an adjacent depression 108, players may choose to “jump” another adjacent ball on the game surface 102. Players may reach the target aperture 106 by advancing a ball one space or by jumping an adjacent ball directly into the target aperture 106. The goal is for a player to get all his balls through the target aperture 106 before the other player or players. The game play described is one possible set of rules and movements. However, the game encompasses numerous possible strategies combining the hand-eye coordination aspects of launching the ball or projectile onto the game surface 102 and strategic movement and patterns of movement of the projectiles once they are in play on the game surface 102.

An aspect of the game strategy requires the player to choose whether to attempt to project a ball onto the game surface 102, potentially directly through the center target aperture 106, or move the balls already on the game surface 102 toward the target 106. Moving the balls on the game surface 102 requires a player to choose between moving a ball one space or depression 108 on the game surface 102 or “jump” an adjacent ball to land on an open space or depression 108 on the other side of the adjacent ball. If a player chooses to jump another ball, she may continue a chain of jumps, so long as each space or depression 108 where the ball is to land is open. In a single or chain of jumps, a player may also choose to jump a ball into the target aperture 106. A player may also move a ball directly into the center target aperture 106, so long as the ball is located on one of the spaces directly adjacent to the target aperture 106. A player may choose to strategically place the balls on the game surface 102 to coordinate a single or series of jumps.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the game board 100 and game surface 102 can vary in shape and size. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, in embodiments the game surface 102, and sides 104 are supported by or connected directly to side supports 110, without the use of a tray-shaped lower portion 116. While the game board 100 is shown as hexagonal, it is understood that other shapes (e.g., octagonal) can be used. In addition, larger embodiments of the game board 100 could be made to accommodate larger groups of play. Furthermore, large-scale embodiments could accommodate outdoor playing areas. Different scaled game boards 100 may require greater hand-eye coordination, and variations of player strategy. In other embodiments, different layouts of the depressions 108 on the game surface 102 could also increase the requisite level of skill required and allow for greater numbers of players. In general, more players would be able to play on larger embodiments, requiring more strategy and skill.

FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate game boards 100 of varying styles formed using different possible materials and methods of manufacturing. Game boards 100 and projectiles or balls can be made from a variety of materials and depending on the material and rigidity thickness of the game surface 102, the balls or projectile may react differently. In addition, variation in material of the game board 100 could allow for more aesthetically pleasing as well as more environmentally friendly adaptations of the game, which may be sold at varying price points.

In an embodiment, the game board 100 is manufactured using an injection-molded plastic variant or similar material. An example of such a game board 100 is depicted in FIG. 4A. The injection-molded plastic variant can be produced rapidly. It would consist of a relatively lightweight structure and it would be easy to ship and to transport. In addition, this embodiment would require relatively little plastic material to form the game board 100 and would have low production costs while being durable and waterproof. The side supports 110 can be solid as shown in FIG. 3A, or as shown in FIG. 4A the side supports 110 can include cut-outs, reducing the amount of material required to form the game board 100.

Another embodiment as shown in FIG. 4D could be manufactured out of wood. The wood embodiment could be a high quality version, having an aesthetically pleasing game board 100 and game surface 102. In addition, a wooden embodiment may be relatively durable. Such an embodiment could be a high-end version of the game, sold at a different price point.

Another embodiment of the game board could be manufactured using environmentally-friendly, recyclable or collapsible materials, such as cardboard or egg-crate materials. This embodiment would be relatively lightweight to ship and inexpensive to manufacture. In addition, the depicted embodiment could be easily stored and transported.

A vacuum formed embodiment of the game board depicted in FIG. 3A could also be manufactured at a low cost. A vacuum formed embodiment would be a lightweight game board 100 that is cheap to manufacture and has low tooling costs.

FIGS. 4B-C illustrate a possible collapsible embodiment for ease in transporting the game board apparatus. In a collapsible embodiment, the game board 100 could be formed from one or more flat sheets of material, folded and held together during play with clips 400 at each of the edges 402. These clips 400 could be removed to collapse the game board 100 for storage purposes. When the clips 400 are removed, the game board 100 could be unfolded to pack flat, or generally flat. In other embodiments the edges 402 can be held together using tabs and slots, or any other suitable method for temporarily securing the edges 402. Other embodiments could also be manufactured using new or known materials or forms.

Referring to FIG. 5, in another embodiment, the game could incorporate game cards 500 or another layer of gameplay. Here, the depicted cards 500 illustrate a pattern 502 that can be recreated on the game surface 102 using the balls or tokens. In an embodiment, players draw game cards 500 and attempt to recreate the pattern 502 with the game balls during play. In another embodiment, once a player makes a pattern 502 by positioning the balls on depressions 108, the player collects the game card 500. In another embodiment, the winner is the first player or team to collect a specified number of pattern game cards 500 (e.g., three cards). In another embodiment, game cards 500 could be used to incentivize a different player to arrange his or her tokens in such a manner. Players that successfully form the depicted pattern 502 can pass those tokens through the target aperture 106 and out of play. The use of game cards 500 can add another level of complexity to the gameplay and could be used to affect a point system, or pose strategic gameplay advantages or disadvantages. There are many potential variations that can impact the strategy of the game.

While the described apparatuses and methods have been described with regards to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations may be devised. What has been described above includes examples of aspects of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the disclosed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the disclosed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “has,” or “having” or variations in form thereof are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for playing a game, comprising: providing a game board, wherein the game board includes a game surface having a plurality of depressions; providing a plurality of game pieces, wherein each of the plurality of depressions is shaped to retain one of the plurality of game pieces; projecting at least one of the plurality of game pieces onto the game surface, wherein the at least one of the plurality of game pieces is retained by one of the plurality of depressions; selecting from a group of strategic moves; and advancing the at least one of the plurality of game pieces retained by the one of the plurality of depressions in accordance with the selected strategic move.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein projecting the at least one of the plurality of game pieces includes bouncing the at least one of the plurality of game pieces off a surface supporting the game board toward the game surface.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the group of strategic moves includes moving a selected game piece of the plurality of game pieces to an adjacent depression and jumping the selected game piece over a second game piece retained in the adjacent depression.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the group of strategic moves includes a chain of jumps.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising repeating the steps of projecting the at least one of the plurality of game pieces, selecting from the group of strategic moves and advancing the at least one of the plurality of game pieces to pass the plurality of game pieces of one player through a target aperture on the game surface.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a plurality of game cards, wherein each of the plurality of game cards illustrates a pattern of depressions.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising positioning one or more of the plurality of game pieces retained by the plurality of depressions according to the pattern illustrated by one of the plurality of game cards.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the game surface has a target aperture substantially centered on the game surface, further comprising advancing one or more of the plurality of game pieces through the target aperture.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of advancing one or more of the plurality of game pieces includes projecting the one or more of the plurality of game pieces directly into the target aperture.
 10. A game, comprising: a game board including a game surface surrounded by a boundary, wherein the game surface includes a plurality of depressions and a target aperture, wherein the target aperture is substantially centered on the game surface; and a plurality of game pieces, wherein each of the game pieces is capable of being retained by any one of the depressions and going through the target aperture.
 11. The game of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of depressions includes an aperture at a base of the depression.
 12. The game of claim 10, wherein the game board is formed using an injection-molding process.
 13. The game of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of game cards, wherein each of the plurality of game cards illustrates a pattern of depressions.
 14. The game of claim 10, wherein the game board is hexagonal in shape.
 15. The game of claim 10, wherein the game board is vacuum formed.
 16. The game of claim 10, wherein the game board is collapsible.
 17. The game of claim 16, further comprising: a plurality of side supports that support the game surface when the game board is assembled; and at least one removable clip, wherein when the game board is assembled, the plurality of side supports are connected with the at least one removable clip.
 18. The game of claim 10, wherein the game board includes an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion includes the game surface, wherein the lower portion includes side supports.
 19. The game of claim 18, wherein the lower portion is shaped as a tray.
 20. A method for playing a game, comprising: providing a game board, wherein the game board includes a game surface having a plurality of depressions and a target aperture, wherein the target aperture is substantially centered on the game surface; providing a plurality of game pieces, wherein each of the plurality of depressions is shaped to retain any one of the plurality of game pieces; projecting at least one of the plurality of game pieces toward the game surface; selecting from a group of strategic moves and moving a selected game piece of the plurality of game pieces retained by one of the plurality of depressions, wherein the group of strategic moves includes moving the selected game piece to an adjacent depression and jumping the game piece over a game piece retained in the adjacent depression; and repeating the steps of projecting the at least one of the plurality of game pieces, selecting from the group of strategic moves and moving the selected game piece, until all of the plurality of game pieces for a player are passed through the target aperture. 